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Daily Express
25-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Express
Sustainable Wholistic Wellness International Conference & Expo 2025 champions sustainable wellness tourism
Published on: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 25, 2025 By: Crystal E Hermenegildus Text Size: Joniston said that wellness tourism must be more than an economic opportunity — it should be a development strategy. Kota Kinabalu: The Sustainable Wholistic Wellness International Conference & Expo 2025 (SWWICE2025) united participants from over 15 countries in a collective effort to champion sustainable and integrated wellness tourism. Sabah's Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, who is also Chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, said the event represents a major milestone in positioning Sabah as a global model for wellness tourism—one that is deeply rooted in sustainability, cultural heritage, and community values. 'Sabah is not just a scenic destination—it is a land of natural wellness, where healing, balance, and harmony are part of everyday life,' he said when officiating the event at Sutera Harbour on Tuesday. He said` as wellness tourism continues to evolve, Sabah is uniquely poised to lead by incorporating indigenous knowledge, local wisdom, and sustainable practices into the growing sector. With the theme Sustainable Wholistic Wellness Tourism, SWWICE2025 aims to redefine wellness beyond conventional spa and resort experiences. The conference explores ten key pillars of multidimensional well-being: Soul, Mind/Emotions, Body, Frequencies, Air, Water, Food, People, Home/Workplace, and Environment. Organising Chairperson Cleo Lajawai described the event as more than a conference—it is a movement. Advertisement 'SWWICE2025 is a shared mission to foster deeper alignment with ourselves, each other, and the Earth,' she said. Cleo said over the next 10 days, SWWICE2025 will host a dynamic program of keynote forums, masterclasses, a wellness & lifestyle expo, cultural showcases, retreats, and interactive experiences — all designed to spark innovation, healing, and global collaboration. Among the highlights is the soft launch of a new directory and booking platform to connect sustainable wellness destinations and practitioners worldwide. From its beginnings in Sabah as IWWCE (International Wholistic Wellness Conference & Expo), the event has evolved and expanded globally, including a significant workplace edition in Germany, before returning to Sabah under the SWWICE brand. The event has garnered strong institutional support from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Environment Sabah, Sabah Tourism Board, Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), and many other partners across Asia and Europe. Joniston said that wellness tourism must be more than an economic opportunity — it should be a development strategy. 'Let Sabah be known not only as a place to visit, but as a place to heal, connect, and thrive,' he urged. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Malaysiakini
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Malaysiakini
Idea Live Arena's launch a boost to regional entertainment scene with Visit Malaysia Year 2026 in full swing
Idea Live Arena, Malaysia's largest indoor arena within a shopping mall and the nation's second largest overall, officially opened its doors at 3 Damansara here today. The much-anticipated launch, officiated by Tan Mei Phing, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), drew a large crowd of dignitaries, industry leaders, and music enthusiasts, heralding a new era for Malaysia's entertainment and tourism sectors. Also present, Dato' Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, the chief executive officer of the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS). Image above: Idea Live Arena, Malaysia's largest indoor arena within a shopping mall and the nation's second largest overall, officially opened its doors at 3 Damansara, boasting superior sound, lighting, and visual equipment that will deliver world-class experiences for concerts, live performances, and large-scale events. The expansive arena, designed to accommodate 5,000 seated guests or 7,000 attendees in seated and standing arrangements, was brought to life through a RM40 million investment dedicated to renovations, structural enhancements, and the installation of cutting-edge technical systems. Boasting superior sound, lighting, and visual equipment, the venue is equipped to deliver world-class experiences for concerts, live performances, and large-scale events. Additional features include a spacious reception foyer, fully equipped dressing rooms, and five luxurious VIP boxes, ensuring comfort and exclusivity for performers and high-profile guests alike. The launch was officiated by Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau's (MyCEB) acting chief executive officer, Tan Mei Phing (seventh from right), with YAM Tengku Datin Paduka Zatashah binti Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Al-Haj, daughter of the Sultan of Selangor, (left of Tan) and the CEO of the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS), Dato' Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib among the dignitaries present alongside supportive industry leaders and players. The opening ceremony was a vibrant affair, capped by an unforgettable performance from Malaysia's beloved jazz icon, Dato' Sheila Majid. Her soulful set, which included timeless hits, electrified the audience and demonstrated the arena's exceptional acoustics and visual capabilities. The event underscored the venue's role in filling a critical gap in Malaysia's entertainment landscape, providing a modern indoor space capable of hosting international and local acts year-round. The ceremony was made all the more special with an exclusive performance by Malaysia's legendary Queen of Jazz, Sheila Majid, who serenaded the guests with her evergreen hits. Sheila became the first artist to perform in Malaysia's largest indoor arena in a shopping mall and the second largest in the country. The arena's launch comes at a pivotal moment, as Malaysia seeks to bolster its tourism industry and revitalize urban areas. Located within the bustling 3 Damansara mall, Idea Live Arena is expected to breathe new life into Petaling Jaya, transforming the surrounding area into a lively destination for residents, visitors, and businesses bringing about economic boost from increased foot traffic and tourism driven by the arena's events. 'Facilities like this are vital to our mission of positioning Malaysia as a regional hub for the creative industries,' said Azmir in his speech. 'Idea Live Arena not only welcomes international productions but also creates opportunities for our local talent, from filmmakers and musicians to cultural performers, to shine on a world-class stage.' 'The Ministry of Communications recently introduced a new initiative called the Concert and Event in Malaysia Incentives, or CEMI, whereby RM10 million will be allocated annually to support large-scale events that draw more than 15,000 attendees and feature a combination of local and international talent,' said Azmir. 'To boost our live event scene, the Ministry of Communications recently introduced a new initiative called the Concert and Event in Malaysia Incentives, or CEMI. Effective 15 May 2025, CEMI will allocate RM10 million annually to support large-scale events that draw more than 15,000 attendees and feature a combination of local and international talent,' he added. The initiative is part of a broader effort to position Malaysia as a premier entertainment hub and fuel the success of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026). Idea Live Arena has a capacity of 5,000 seated guests or 7,000 pax in sitting and standing arrangements, including five luxurious VIP boxes, ensuring comfort and exclusivity for performers and high-profile guests alike. The arena is also equipped with elegant dressing rooms, thoughtfully designed to provide top-tier facilities to local and international superstars. In line with these national objectives, the opening of Idea Live Arena further strengthens Malaysia's push to enhance its global reputation as a cultural and tourism destination. By offering a state-of-the-art venue for international artists and major events, the arena is poised to attract visitors from across the region and beyond, playing a key role in achieving the ambitious goals of VM2026. With its advanced facilities and enticing positioning, Idea Live Arena is set to redefine Malaysia's entertainment landscape. As the country prepares to welcome millions of visitors in anticipation of VM2026, the arena stands ready to play a central role in delivering world-class experiences and promoting Malaysia as a premier destination for entertainment tourism. This content is provided by Global Creative And Media Agency Portal Sdn. Bhd.. The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini. Interested in having your announcements on Malaysiakini? Contact the announcements team at [email protected] or WhatsApp on +60 17-323 0707 for urgent matters.
New Straits Times
27-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Idea Live Arena set to boost PJ's entertainment scene
PETALING JAYA: Idea Live Arena, Malaysia's largest indoor arena within a shopping mall and the nation's second largest after Mega Star Arena, officially opened its doors at 3 Damansara here today. The expansive arena, designed to accommodate 5,000 seated guests or 7,000 attendees in seated and standing arrangements, was established with RM40 million worth of investment involving renovations, structural enhancements, and the installation of cutting-edge technical systems. Boasting superior sound, lighting, and visual equipment, the venue is equipped to deliver world-class experiences for concerts, live performances, and large-scale events. Additional features include a spacious reception foyer, fully equipped dressing rooms, and five luxurious VIP boxes, ensuring comfort and exclusivity for performers and high-profile guests alike. The state-of-the-art venue was officiated by Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) acting chief executive officer Tan Mei Phing today. Also present was National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (Finas) chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib. Azmir said that the arena comes at a pivotal moment, as Malaysia seeks to bolster its tourism industry and revitalise urban areas. "Located within the bustling 3 Damansara mall, Idea Live Arena is expected to breathe new life into Petaling Jaya, transforming the surrounding area into a lively destination for residents, visitors, and businesses bringing about economic boost from increased foot traffic and tourism driven by the arena's events," he said. Tan said that Idea Live Arena also aligns with broader national objectives to enhance Malaysia's global reputation as a cultural and tourism destination. "By providing a state-of-the-art venue for international artistes and events, the arena is poised to draw visitors from across the region and beyond, contributing to the goals of Visit Malaysia Year 2026." The opening ceremony featured a performance by popular singer Datuk Sheila Majid, who sang her hit songs Warna, Lagenda and Sinaran. "It's great to have yet another performing arts venue in PJ, with world class facilities, and I'm confident that Idea Live Malaysia will become an important venue for concerts and live events in the country," she said.
